Imaxio SA
Betting a tiny, tailored protein can improve many vaccines
This article was originally published in Start Up
Executive Summary
Imaxio SA has identified a molecule that it believes can boost the body’s recognition of many antigens, and stimulate the immune system to produce both B cells and T cells. Some people might consider the molecule a “genetic adjuvant,” but the company itself refers to it as a “carrier protein.” Whereas classic adjuvants that provoke the body to a stronger immune response are mixed in with vaccines, Imaxio’s carrier will be genetically fused to specific components of a vaccine. The distinction matters from a regulatory perspective, and should simplify the path to market. Because both B and T cells help protect the body from foreign invaders, mustering the two together could greatly improve the power of a vaccine.